History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc, Part 107

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902; Whitman, Benjamin, 1940-; Russell, N. W. (Nathaniel Willard); Brown, R. C. (Robert C.); Weakley, F. E; Warner, Beers & Co. (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : Warner, Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1280

USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc > Part 107

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

CAPT. JOHN C. HILTON, Register and Recorder, Erie, was born in Erie Co., Dec. 5, 1840 ; son of A. C. and Abbie (Cook) Hilton. The former a native of Albany, N. Y., died in Erie years ago ; the latter, a native of this county. is living with Capt. Hilton in her eighty-fourth year. She has been a member of the Presbyterian Church in Erie 45 years: her father, E. Cook, came from Coun. to Erie Co. in 1795; settled in Waterford, and fol- lowed farming. Our subject's father was an early settler of Erie, filling several offices of trust; was three years Deputy Sheriff of Erie County, afterward Collector of Port, Erie City. Our subject is the fourth of a family of five children, and acquired his education in Erie Academy. At the age of fourteen, he learned the printing trade, working at it until 1861, when he enlisted in the 145th P. V. I., Co. K. After a short service, was promoted to Second Lieutenant, then First Lieutenant, and finally Captain ; he was wounded Dec. 13, 1862, at the battle of Fredericksburg, and lost his leg at the battle of Gettysburg, July 3, 1863; was honorably discharged, after being promoted to Major. On his return home, our subject engaged in the coal business with E. W. Reed for eight years; then chief clerk in Erie City Post Office four years, and in 1879 was elected to his present position. The Capt. was mar- ried to Ellen, daughter of M. R. Barr, at one time Collector of Port in Erie City, and now Indiau Inspector. By this union are three children-Abhie (deceased), Ruth and Louise.

EDWARD F. G. E. HITZE, watchmaker and jeweler, Erie, was born in Prussia, Germany, Feb. 3, 1844, son of Edward Hitze, a Doctor of Theology and a Government Sec., Prussia. Our subject attended Posen College, and early in life learned the watch- maker's trade, at which he served a regular apprenticeship; came from Germany to America in 1870, and settled in Erie City, and was employed by Messrs. Jarickis; after remaining with them five years, he embarked in business for himself as watchmaker and jeweler, in which he has since continued; he is a good business man, and has made what he has by his own exertions. Mr. Hitze was married. in this city in 1881, to Theresa, daughter of Andrew Wiesbauer, and a native of Erie City, of German descent, by whom he has one son, Edward Charles. In politics, he is a Republican.

JOHN J. HOGAN, contractor and builder, Erie, was born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., Oct. 25, 1843, son of Isaac and Polly Ann (Finch) Hogan, the former a contractor and builder in Schoharie Co., N. Y., and a descendant of the Hogans, who were early pioneers of N. Y. State, and the latter a native of Greene Co., N. Y. They were parents of twelve children, all living. Our subject was brought up to his present business, and at twenty-two years of age came to Corry, this county, where he spent two years, then came to this city and engaged at once in the business, with which he has since been prominently identified; he has also, in the meantime, done considerable business in his line throughout N. Y., Penn. and Ohio in connection with public buildings, and also operated extensively in con- nection with the Nickel Plate R. R. Depot Building. He married, in Erie City, Dec. 23, 1868, Minnie S. daughter of Darius Lovell (deceased), late of Crawford Co., Penn. To this union were born two sons and two daughters: Bertice P., born Feb. 26, 1871; Ada Kate, Dec. 18, 1872; Effa M., Aug. 24. 1874; and Jay J., May 12, 1879. Our subject is a Knight Templar and a member of the K. of H .; he has served several years in the Common Council of the city. and one term (1875) in Select Council.

SAMUEL V. HOLLIDAY, prothonotary, Erie. was born Oct. 20, 1841, in Spring- field. this county, son of William and Fannie E. (Post) Holliday, former a native of this county. latter of Conn. Our subject's grandfather, Samuel Holliday, came to Erie Co. in 1795, was a farmer and owner of mills in Springfield Township. These mills were burnt down in 1836. Our subject's great-grandfather. James Holliday, was murdered by Indians in the early settlement of Penn. Subject's father had four children-Samuel V., Eliza J. (wife of D. M. Richardson), James C. and William P. Our subject attended the academies in Erie Co. from 1853 to 1858, entered third class in college in 1859, and graduated in 1861. From that year. he was engaged in farming till 1864, when he was appointed additional Paymaster U. S. A., Washington, D. C. In 1865, was ordered to Fort Monroe, Va., and afterward to Norfolk and Richmond, Va .; same year was appointed Lieut. Col. of Vols., by Brevet, and on Dec. 1 was mustered out of service. In 1866, Mr. Holliday was engaged in farming and stock-raising, a business he continued in till 1892. On Nov. 10, 1864, he married Margaret S. Gould, of Springfield, Penn. To this union were born William Mor- ris, Anna G., Evau Lee and Fanny L. Our subject was elected prothonotary of Erie Co.

910

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

in 1881; he is P. E. C. of Cache Commandery, No. 27, K. T., Conneaut, Ohio. In politics, he is a Republican.

W. S. HOSKINS, dealer in choice groceries, canned goods a specialty, Erie, was born in Jefferson, Ohio, Dec. 24, 1859; son of S. D. and Mary D. (Webster) Hoskins, of English descent. The latter a native of Ohio. The former born in N. Y., is a carpenter and con- tractor, now in the lumber trade, Erie. They have 3 children living, viz .: Olive, wife of L. G. McNutt, of Warren Co., Penn .; W, S., and May I. Our subject was educated in Warren Co., and coming to Erie City in 1877, clerked in a store till 1883, when he bought out S. Cummins' grocery store, 4th and Chestnut streets; he is an enterprising young man, and is a member of the Central Presbyterian Church of this city.

HENRY J. HOWE, of the firm Howe, McClure &. Co .. Wooden-ware Works, Erie, was born in Vt., Nov. 20, 1832, son of Rufus and Susan D. (Stuart) Howe, the former a carpenter and joiner, of English descent, the latter of Scotch lineage. They had a family of four boys and four girls. Our subject, who was the second son, was raised in Mass. by his uncle, Reuben Stimson, of that State, and received a common school training till fourteen years of age. In 1861, he enlisted in the 10th P. R. V. C., Co. I, and was promoted twice for gallant conduct in the field, on the occasion of the battle of the Wilderness to Brevet Major, and was wounded at the battle of South Mountain; he retired from the army with rank of Brevet Major. Four days after his discharge he was appointed manager of the pail fac- tory in Pittsburgh, where he remained from 1864 to 1873, when he came to Erie City and engaged in his present business. In 1856, Mr. Howe married Georgiana Holden, of English descent. Three children, Edward, Mead and Grace, were born to this union. Mrs. Howe is a member of the Central Presbyterian Church. Our subject has been a member of the Erie City Council; is Commander of G. A. R. Post of the city; in politics, a Republican.

BERNARD HUBLEY, retired coppersmith, Erie, was born in Pittsburgh, Penn., Jan. 7, 1811; son of Samuel and Jane (McCord) Hubley, the former of German descent and whose ancestors came to America before the Revolutionary war, settling in Pittsburgh, Penn., where our subject received his education, and learned the trade of his father, that of coppersmith. Mr. Hubley was twice married, on first occasion in 1834, to Margaret Mccullough, by whom were five children, three now living, She dying in 1843, our subject chose for his second wife, in 1847, Mary W. Wasson, born March 4, 1814, in Crawford Co., Penn., daughter of David and Elizabeth (White) Wasson, natives of Penn., of Ger- man and Irish descent, and who came to Erie Co. in 1815, settling on a farm which is now inside the corporation of Erie City. Mrs. Hubley is the only member of her family now living. She is the mother of three children- Elizabeth J., deceased in 1872, wife of John C. Zeller (had one child-Mary H.); Sarah S., teacher in Erie City Graded Schools, and David, engaged in the oil business in Oil City, Penn. Mrs. Hubley's father died in Erie City at the patriarchal age of ninety-six. Her mother died in 1840. The family are mem- bers of the United Presbyterian Church of Erie City.

THOMAS HUGHES was born in Ireland in 1766, and there grew to manhood; immi- grated to the U. S. when about twenty-one years of age, and located in Pittsburgh, where he followed his trade of brick layer and stone mason. In 1795, he came to Erie with the troops to assist in erecting the garrison and fort at this point. In 1796, Gen. Anthony Wayne on his way East stopped off at Erie, and remained sick at the garrison until his death in Dec. of that year. During his illness he was much annoyed by a smoky chimney, and one day becoming very angry, inquired who built it. On being informed that it was Mr. Hughes, he sent at once for that gentleman, and asked him if he had built the smoky chimney, and on his replying in the affirmative, " Mad Anthony" ordered him under ar- rest at once, exclaiming "I'll have you shot, sir!" Some of the officers interfered in Mr. Hughes' behalf, and the death of Wayne soon after ended the affair, Mr. Hughes assisting in digging the General's grave. After the death of Gen. Wayne, Mr. Hughes went back to Pittsburgh, and about 1800 again returned to Erie. In Jan., 1804, he married Martha Richards, a resident of Union Township, Erie Co. Penn .; she was a native of Lancaster Co., Penn., of Irish descent, and bore him nine sons and one daughter, viz., John, James, Jane, Alexander, Thomas, Robert, William, George W., Perry and David R. Of these Jane and George W. are the only survivors. Thomas was married and leaves a widow and one child, a daughter, Mrs. J. S. Henry, who resides in Erie. Robert was lost on the steam- boat Erie, which was burned on lake Erie, on the 9th of Aug., 1841, when over 200 lives were lost. His body was recovered and brought to Erie and interred. Mr. Hughes owned half the block lying between State and Peach and Seventh and Eighth streets. His first residence was a small log cabin on Seventh street, but he subsequently erected the first brick house built in Erie. He also assisted in erecting the first court house in Erie Co., and when the building was nearly completed, he met with an accident that broke his wrist, which never fully regained its former strength. In 1810, he built a carding and fulling mill on the west bank of Mill Creek, close to its mouth, which he operated until 1824, when it was burned down. During a portion of this time he was also engaged in the manufacture of brick and lime. Upon the destruction of his mill he removed to a farm, previously purchased, in Mckean Township, where he resided nine years; thence in 1833 returned to Erie, and died March 14, 1837, in the seventy-first year of his age. Mr.

911

CITY OF ERIE.

Hughes possessed a vigorous constitution, but during the latter part of his life suffered much from a painful cancerous affliction, which lie always endured with meekness and Christian resignation. Both he and wife were members of the Associate Reformed Pres- byterian Church of Erie, of which he was an Elder from its organization until his death. His widow survived him some ten years, dying Aug. 18, 1847, aged sixty-one years. Mr. Hughes and family were closely identified with the growth and prosperity of Erie, and he always supported the character of an honest Christian man.

GEORGE W. HUGHES, retired merchant, was the eighth in the family of ten children of Thomas and Martha Hughes, and was born in Erie, Aug. 24, 1821. He was educated in the Erie Academy, and soon after reaching manhood engaged in the dry goods business. For many years he has lived retired from the active duties of life, solely attending to the private affairs of the family. He and his sister Jane reside on West Eightli street, Erie, in a comfortable home, enjoying life in a quiet, unostentatious way, yet satisfied and con- tented with their choice.

JAMES HUGHES was born in Erie, Penn., Dec., 13, 1806, and was a son of Thomas and Martha ( Richards) Hughes, pioneers of this county. Our subject soon after reaching manhood became Postmaster of Erie and subsequently entered mercantile trade which he followed successfully until about 1859, when he retired from business, and henceforth devoted his attention to his private affairs. On the 31st of Jan., 1833, he married Emily Carmack, eldest in a family of three children of Jacob and Ann (Cummins) Carmack, the for- mer of whom was a Captain in the war of 1812-15. John Cummins, father of Mrs. Jacob Carmack, served as a Captain in the Revolutionary war. To Mr. and Mrs. James Hughes were born eight children-Anna, wife of O. C. Thayer, of Eric; Martha J., deceased; Emily, wife of R. H. Thayer, of Buffalo, N. Y .; Robert K., deceased; James C., deceased; Will- iam, deceased; Thomas, who resides with his mother, and one who died in infancy. Mr. Hughes died at his handsome residence on west Eighth street March 4, 1875, after a useful life of nearly seventy years spent in the city of his nativity.

F. A. JACOBS, proprietor of livery and feed stables rear of Morton House, Erie, was born and reared in Chautauqua Co., N. Y. Our subject, in 1862, enlisted in 12th Penn. Cav., and did active service until the close of the war. He then located and carried on livery business on the Schaffer farm, Venango Co., Penn., for a short time. He became identified with the oil refining nntil 1873, when he went into the hotel business in West- field and in 1874 came to Erie. He is an active member of the I. O. O. F., A. O. U. W. and G. A. R. societies.

CHARLES W. JARECKI (deceased), was born in Prussia, Germany, received a com- mon school education there and early in life learned the jeweler's trade. He was married in his native land, and was parent of ten children, seven sons and three daughters. Our sub- ject came from Germany to Erie in 1852, and worked at his trade, with one of his sons (three sons preceded him, settled in Erie and embarked in the jewelry business). Mr. Jarecki was a Republican in politics, and with wife a member of the German Lutheran Church. He de- parted this life in 1878. His widow still survives him. Charles Jarecki, Jr., the eighth in this family, is a member, also treasurer and secretary of the extensive manufacturing firm of Henry and Charles Jarecki (a description of their business will be found elsewhere in this volume). He obtained his education in Germany and when very young commenced to learn the trade of a machinist. He came to America, and in 1863 embarked in bis pres- ent business; is a first class workman and a successful business manager. In politics, is a Republican. Mr. Jarecki was married in Erie City to a daughter of Jacob Becker, of German descent. They are parents of two children, viz .: Alexander and Freddie C.

GUSTAV JARECKI, President of the Humboldt Safe Deposit and Trust Co., Erie, established July 14, 1869, was born in Prussia, Oct. 21, 1829, son of Charles W. Jarecki, a life-long jeweler, who emigrated to America with his family in 1853, and settled in Erie Co. Charles W. was the parent of ten children, seven boys and three girls, who grew to maturity and now reside in Erie. The sons are all married and doing well. Our subject received his education in Prussia, both in the common and military schools, graduating from the latter. He served in the artillery three years as acting 2d Lieut. As an occupation he chose the jew- elry trade, and embarked in that business in Erie City in 1857, continuing until 1869. Mr. Jarecki was elected to the Legislature from Erie City in 1878. serving two years. He was appointed U. S. Consul for Bavaria during Grant's administration in 1869, serving four years. He has been a member of the School Board eleven years. He organized and drilled an artil- lery company (known as Perry Artillery), during the rebellion, in 1861, but on account of ill health he was detained at home. He is President of the Jarecki Chemical Works, in Erie City, established in 1881; in 1869, he inaugurated the bank of which he is a charter mem- ber. Mr. Jarecki was married, in 1852, to Miss D. Engelhard, who has borne him six chil- dren-Alfred K., a chemist; Eddie, book-keeper in the bank; Clara, Flora, Gustav, Jr., Emma. In politics, our subject is a Republican.

JOHN F. JEFFERS, restaurant, Erie, was born in the State of N. Y., July 15, 1849, son of Michael and Bridget (Welsh) Jeffers, the former a laborer of Irish descent, the latter of English lineage. Our subject, who was the eldest in a family of five children, and ac- buired his education at Utica, Assumption Academy, from which he graduated in 1866.

912

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

He then accepted the position of clerk in a hotel, where he remained till 1875. Then, till 1878, he clerked in the Depot Hotel, Erie City, and since then has engaged in his present business. Mr. Jeffers was married, in 1879, to Hannah Ledwith, who is of Irish origin. They are members of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Jeffers is politically a Republican. JOHN JERGE, proprietor of the Central House, Erie, was born in Erie Co., N. Y.,in the year 1846, and in 1873 came to Erie, this county, and has since been connected with his present business. He was united in marriage, in 1862, in his native county, with Doro- thea Herold, who was born in Germany, and reared in Erie Co., N. Y. This union has been blessed with six sons and two daughters, viz., John, Jacob, Joseph, Mary, Charles, Philip and Michel. Mr. Jerge and wife are regular communicants of the Roman Catho- lic Church. He is a member of the C. M. B. A. Society.

R. M. JOHNSON, proprietor of livery stable, French and Seventh streets, Erie, was born June 20, 1843, in this city, son of John and Matilda (Burton) Johnson, natives of Pennsylvania, originally of Connecticut stock, who came to this county about the year 1808, settling in Erie City, where they lived a few years, and finally went on a farm in Summit Township. They were parents of the following children: William, who died in the West; Hannah, widow of Horace Olds; Charlotte; Henrietta, wife of Albert W. Gra- ham; and our subject, who was married, in Sept., 1866, to Mary B., daughter of William Buss, and a native of England. To this union were born two children-Willie F. and Florence May, who died at four years of age. Mr. Johnson located in Erie City about 1866, and embarked in the livery business. He is the proprietor of a commodious brick stable, located on the corner of French and Seventh streets, and keeps up a first-class stock. He is courteous and accommodating, and is very attentive to his business interests.

D. M. JOHNSON, proprietor of the Reed House, also the Union Depot Hotel, Erie, was born in N. Y., June 23, 1845, son of James and Cyrene (Huffman) Johnson, former, hotel keeper and farmer, a native of Conn., of English descent, latter a native of N. Y., of German extraction. Our subject received his education at the academy of Johnstown, N. Y. After assisting in his father's hotel for a time, he was engaged as clerk in a dry goods store in New York three years, and then in the Congress Hall Hotel, Albany, N. Y. Following that he became manager of the Manhattan Democrat Club. Being induced by Com. Vanderbilt to open a restaurant at one of his railroad statious, our subject started the Butterfield House at Utica, N. Y. This he sold out in 1875, and removed to this city, occupying the Union Depot Hotel, and in 1883 taking charge of the Reed Hotel, the latter of which has been refitted at an expense of about $40,000. Mr. Johnson was married to Fannie, daughter of A. L. Woodruff, of New York. By this union are three children-Will- iam, Tom and D. M., Jr. Mrs. Johnson is a member of the Episcopal Church.

JOSEPH JOHNSON, a native of Ireland, came to this country with his father's family in 1793 and located at Milesburg, Centre Co. this State. He located in Erie Co. on a farm in Summit Township, where he settled with his brother James. He was married about 1814 to Miss Fanny Graham, who died about 1860. They raised a large family; James died in Michigan; John died at Mobile, Ala .; Robert died at Louisville, Ky .; William residing in Chicago, Ill .; Mrs. Hugh Rutherford, of Erie; Joseph, Jr .; Orville died at Erie in 1873; James died in Summit, and G. N. who was District Attorney, and died Feb., 1857. Joseph, Sr., re-married in 1864, Mrs. George Gallagher, who survives. He was of great energy and industry, cleared and worked a large farm, aud for many years carried on the transportation business between Erie and Pittsburgh and Bellefonte. About twenty years since he relinquished the active duties of farming and removed to Erie where he quietly passed the evening of his life. He was an active Whig and Republican; a member of the First Presbyterian Church and a devoted friend of liis old pastor, Dr. Lyon. Joseph Johnson was born in Summit Township May 8, 1822. He remained with his father's family until 1853, when he removed with his wife to Erie where he entered the grocery business with his brother Orville, as partner under firm name, Johnson & Bro. About 1862, F. Brevillier was admitted into partnership when the style of the firm became Johnson & Brevillier. At the death of Orville Johnson in 1873, the remaining partners, Jas. Johnson and F. Brevillier, purchased his interest, the firm continuing, and are now doing business under the old name. About 1858, their store was destroyed by fire, but they immediately resumed business in the same line, which was continued for about twelve months in the Reed House, when the retail branch was dropped upon the removal to the Rindernecht Block on State street, where they continued in the wholesale business three years, then removed to French street, a few doors from their present premises. After remaining there about eight years, they moved to 105 and 107 French street. In 1865, Mr. Johnson pur- chased his lot on the corner of Fourth and Peach streets, and erected his beautiful resi- dence, which is heated and illuminated with natural gas. Mr. Johnson served as Select Councilman eighteen years. In 1884, was chosen as delegate to the National Republican Convention at Chicago from the Twenty-seventh Congressional District. This race was very exciting, but Mr. Johnson's friends complimented him by a large and unexpected majority. He was married in Le Bœuf Township, Oct. 17, 1850, to Margerett, daughter of Robert Robinson, Esq. They have no children of their own. but have raised four, three girls and one boy, viz .: Anna, wife of E. S. Rice, Esq., of Chicago (have two chil-

913

CITY OF ERIE.

dren, Freddie and Margerett); Emma died at twenty years of age; Jennie at home, and Charles Funk, residing in Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. Johnson and wife are members of the First Presbyterian Church; he has always voted the Republican ticket, and has always been extremely successful both in public and private life.

DAVID T. JONES. manager of the Union Oil Co., Erie, was born in Marion Co., Ohio, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Thomas) Jones, natives of Wales. who came to Amer- ica in 1807, settling in Penn. Thomas Jones was a manufacturer during his lifetime. Our subject attended the Ohio Wesleyan University, Del., took a scientific course of three years, and graduated in 1847. Subsequently, he entered the hardware business in Champaign Co., Ohio, carrying it on from 1848 till 1860, in which latter year he came to Erie City, and built the first oil refinery here, corner of French and Sixteenth streets. The firm was then known as W. P. Murray & Co., of which Mr. Jones was manager for thirteen years. At another time the style of the firm was O. C. Thayer & Co., our subject being manager four years; afterward merged into the present Star Oil Company. Mr. Jones was married, in 1847, to Mary, daughter of George Millice, a native of Virginia, and of French and German descent. To this union has been born one child-Cassius E. Mr. Jones is member and Sunday School Superintendent of St. John's Episcopal Church, of which he has been Vestryman seventeen years. He served two terms as Mayor of Erie City, and was Mayor of Mechanicsburg, Ohio, four years. Has been a member of the Masonic order since he was twenty-one years of age, and is a Knight Templar. In politics, he is a Republican.

HUGH JONES, carpenter and contractor and builder, dealer in real estate, Erie, was born in North Wales Feb. 15, 1812, son of John Hughes, a native of Wales. Our subject received his education in his native land, and chose the occupation of carpenter and house builder. In 1833, he was married to Eleanor Hughes, and same year emigrated with his young wife to America. remaining for some years in N. Y., where he worked at his trade until 1836, when they moved to Erie City, staying in Buffalo on their way. Our subject worked in the latter city and Erie as ship joiner, and finally set up as contractor and builder. He also operated a planing mill from 1848 till 1875. Mr. Jones has proved him- self a successful mechanic and business man; is owner of about 50 dwelling houses in Erie City. He has been a member of Erie City Council; in politics, is a Republican. Our subject and wife are parents of three children-Elizabeth, wife of Charles W. Griest; Ellen, wife of George W. Slocum; and Hugh Jones, Jr., dealer in sash, doors and blinds.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc, Part 107

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902; Whitman, Benjamin, 1940-; Russell, N. W. (Nathaniel Willard); Brown, R. C. (Robert C.); Weakley, F. E; Warner, Beers & Co. (Chicago, Ill.) Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago : Warner, Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1280

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902; Whitman, Benjamin, 1940-; Russell, N. W. (Nathaniel Willard); Brown, R. C. (Robert C.); Weakley, F. E; Warner, Beers & Co. (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : Warner, Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1280